In response to the prompt provided, to design a study comparing believers and non-believers on a pub

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University of Maryland, Baltimore *

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114

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Medicine

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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2

Uploaded by fnsiah1 on coursehero.com

In response to the prompt provided, to design a study comparing believers and non-believers on a public health issue, several key components must be considered to ensure the study is objective, unbiased, and scientifically sound. Here is a proposed outline for such a study: Title: Faith and Healing: A Comparative Study of Believers and Non-believers in Modern Medicine Outcomes Objective: The study aims to investigate whether there is a significant difference in the health outcomes of surgical procedures between patients with religious beliefs and those without, and if so, to what extent these beliefs influence the outcomes. Hypothesis: There is no significant difference in the successful outcomes of surgical procedures between believers and non-believers. Any observed differences will be due to other factors unrelated to religious belief. Study Design: A prospective cohort study design would be appropriate for this research. It allows for observation of outcomes over time between two groups: those who identify as having religious beliefs (believers) and those who do not (non-believers). Population: The study would involve a sufficient sample size of patients undergoing similar surgical procedures. These patients would be categorized into two groups based on their self-reported religious beliefs. Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients (aged 18 and above) scheduled for elective surgery. Informed consent provided. Ability to self-identify as a believer or non-believer. Exclusion Criteria: Emergency surgical procedures. Cognitive impairment or inability to consent. Variables: Independent variable: Religious belief (believer vs. non-believer). Dependent variables: Surgical outcomes (complications, recovery time, mortality rates, etc.). Control variables: Age, gender, pre-existing health conditions, type of surgery, surgeon's experience, etc. Data Collection:
Pre-operative surveys to assess religious beliefs, health status, and psychosocial factors. Medical records review to collect data on surgical outcomes. Post-operative follow-up to measure recovery parameters and patient satisfaction. Statistical Analysis: Use multivariate analysis to control for potential confounding variables. Compare outcomes between the two groups using appropriate statistical tests (e.g., chi-square for categorical data, t-tests for continuous data). Ensuring Objectivity: Blind the research staff to the patients’ religious status to prevent bias in data collection and analysis. Utilize standardized protocols for data collection and outcome measurement. Report findings regardless of whether they support the hypothesis. Ethical Considerations: Ensure patient confidentiality and data protection. Obtain ethical approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Provide patients with the option to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. Limitations:
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